I recently defaulted on a cash advance with Check N Go. I was called December 15, 2007 in the afternoon by Alliance Asset Management. I was told by the representative they were representing Check N Go in an effort to collect a debt. I advised the representative I would love to talk with her but I was in bad weather and would prefer to receive a call back. She asked, "why can you not talk to me if you are just driving?" I advised the representative the weather had just become bad and would prefer a call back. She asked me if I would take the number and call them back. I advised the agent if I was able to take the time to take down a number, I would be able to speak with her. I advised her the only digits appearing on my cell phone caller ID was 630. She laughed. I advised her I had called Check N Go several times but never received the information necessary to determine what happend to the loan. The agent advised me the loan would be referred for legal action.
Monday, the calls started again. The calls come through on my cell phone - a number I do not answer when I am at work. There are never messages or a number to call back. On Tuesday, December 18, I was in my office and received a call from the same area code as has been on my cell phone. I spoke with Justin Mertell. I explained to him the situation from Saturday and I would like nothing better than to get this taken care of; however, I am just returning to work from a medical leave. Justin was careless with his tone and manners. I advised Justin I will do my best to take care of this debt on December 30th; however, at this time, I do not know how much my check will be. He stated he would have to refer my loan to a manager. He asked me to hold. I then spoke with Ryan Bartlett who had less manners than the previous associates with whom I had spoken. He explained to me their radical process of adding fees and collection costs to loans that were not paid in full immediatelt. I quickly asked Ryan, "If I was able to pay you in full now, don't you think I would have paid Check N Go?" Ryan said he would accept arrangements for December 31 (my next pay date). I advised Ryan I did not know if it was feasible. Ryan asked me a number of questions including my address and telephone information. He said he would refer my loan to the manager for payment on December 31. I advised Ryan a referral to the manager makes no sense because I do not know my pay. I explained January 15, 2008 would be more feasible. He said there is no way January 15th would be accepted and I could call him back later in the afternoon to see if December 31 has been approved.
I did not call Alliance back on the afternoon of December 18. Rather, I called and left a message for Ryan. During the day, I had received calls from Ms. Lowe, Ms. Spencer, and Ashley. As soon as I had completed the voicemail to Ryan, he called me back on the other line. I thanked him for calling me back. He became quite arrogant and stated, "I am not calling you back, I am wondering why you did not take the initiative to call me back yesterday." I advised him because his ruthless behavior was inappropriate. He went right to the collection of the account. He asked me why I did not call him back with the routing number and account number for my bank. I advised him I never agree to do so. He asked me for the information so the account can be paid December 31. I told him I could not guarantee the full amount December 31. He started to bargain and said he may be able to get approval to take a lesser amount. I advised him I would work my best to get $150 paid but before I agreed to anything, I wanted an explanation on the NSF fees charged by Check N Go ($35 x 2) when they had received a letter from Compass Bank stating they had allowed an unapproved transaction and apologized to those to whom I had written checks. The account was subsequently closed and a new account re-opened. Ryan said, OK, we will accept $440 if you give me your bank account information today. I told him I do not carry my bank account information around in my wallet. He ABRUPTLY stated, fine, the next call will be made to your employer to verify employment and they will add all of the fees and collection costs that can be allowed. I asked Ryan if he was threatening me because clearly he knows where I work because he called me in my office. I asked him for documentation proving the legitimacy of "AA." He continued with his threats of calling my employer to verifuy my employer. Oddly enough, in the middle of my conversation, Ashley called from "AA." I told her I had Ryan on the other line, she said she needed a return phone call immediately.
I asked Ryan for the manager's name. He said, "There are three." I asked for one name. He gave me the name of Dan Dwyer. He again reminded me, "the next call will be to my employer to verify employment and then it will become a legal matter."
I called ""AA" this morning and spoke with Laurel who represented herself as a manager. When I advised her I know she is not a manager, she said the managers are in a meeting. I asked for the name of a manager. She said they will want to know why I am calling. I advised her I will let hew know this information when I speak with them. She said good luck and hung up the phone.
Dan Dwyer left me a message this afternoon that he needs to make a decision on the loan today no later than 4:00 today. If I want to have some input into this, i will need to call him at the 800 number, extension 223. Of course, I have learned to save all messages from what they call themselves as "AA."
I know I owe this money; however, I am clearly unable to abide by the DEMANDS made by "AA" [ a company I am not even sure exists because I have never received documentation they owned the loan]. The ruthless behavior and collection practices are beyond reproach.
Do they really think I am going to release my bank account information to a company who cannot even properly identify themselves??????
James
Creola, Alabama
U.S.A.